Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-07-17

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.

CONTENTS

[01] GREEK STUDENTS TASTE ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AT THE AGE OF ELEVEN

[02] NO GREEK PROTESTERS' NAMES TO THE ITALIAN AUTHORITIES

[03] ATHENS WISHES FOR AN AGREEMENT IN FYROM

[04] PAPANTONIOU COMMENTED ON THE ASE

[05] REPPAS: THE STOCK MARKET HAS AN AUTONOMOUS COURSE

[06] GAINS RECORDED IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

[07] GREEK-RUSSIAN CULTURAL COOPERATION

[08] THE SIMITIS-PUTIN MEETING WAS HELD IN A GOOD CLIMATE

[01] GREEK STUDENTS TASTE ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AT THE AGE OF ELEVEN

The Greek students taste alcoholic drinks since the age of eleven, according to a World Health Organization, WHO, report on the problem of alcoholism, while it is the first time that a report shows alcohol use in Greece in such an early age.

Based on the research that was conducted in early 2000, the majority of 11-year-old students, 69%, have stated that they consume alcoholic beverages. Specifically, 17% of them have stated that they drink beer systematically, while 14% stated that they drink wine at least once a month. At the same time, the frequency in alcoholic drinks' consumption between the ages of 18 and 25 has increased from 27.8% to 35.6%.

The figures were presented in a one-day conference on "Greece and the European Action Plan on Alcohol" that was organized by the municipality of Athens and the Greek Alcohol Study Center. According to the research, 94% of the Greek students have had alcoholic drinks at least once and this is a very high percentage exceeding the European average by 11%. Also, based on the research, 200.000 students in Greece have at least one parent, who is an alcoholic.

[02] NO GREEK PROTESTERS' NAMES TO THE ITALIAN AUTHORITIES

The Greek government has not given a list with protesters' names or any other information to the Italian authorities concerning the Greeks, who will participate in the Genoa protests against globalization, stated government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, adding, however, that there is cooperation between the responsible authorities in the two countries.

Mr. Reppas reiterated that the position of the Greek government as it was expressed in the EU Council of Ministers is clear and that Greece and the Greek people are concerned with the protection of the rights of the Greek citizens through Greek government initiatives.

[03] ATHENS WISHES FOR AN AGREEMENT IN FYROM

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas wished that political dialogue among the political forces in FYROM will be completed, and will lead to the total disarmament of extremist groups active in the region, bringing back political stability and calm.

Mr. Reppas commenting on the Russian proposal for an international peace conference in the region, reminded that a similar proposal had been made by the Greek side as well, which, however, did not succeed because other countries had a different approach.

On the Albanian forces proposal for the deployment of NATO troops in FYROM, Mr. Reppas stated that the forces of the alliance will monitor the disarmament procedure of the extremists, and added that NATO cannot undertake another initiative by sending troops to the region that will engage in war and military operations. Mr. Reppas stated that the deployment of such forces will take place if it is requested by the FYROM political forces.

[04] PAPANTONIOU COMMENTED ON THE ASE

Minister of national economy Yiannos Papantoniou, in statements he made within the framework of the meeting he had with ministers of development and transportation on the 2002 privatization program, admitted that the stock market is in a very unfavorable conjuncture and pointed out that there is a need for the government, the opposition, and the mass media to present the truth on the course of the Greek economy.

He also launched a direct attack on those "who try to destroy everything that has been built."

Mr. Papantoniou underlined that a lot have been achieved, stating that Greece's growth rate is double than the EU average and stressed that such growth rates had not been achieved in Greece for the past 30 years. He concluded that the government remains firm in its policy because there is no other policy that can be followed.

[05] REPPAS: THE STOCK MARKET HAS AN AUTONOMOUS COURSE

The stock market has its own autonomous course reiterated government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, stressing that it should not be linked with the developments concerning the Greek economy.

The minister of press admitted that the Athens Stock Exchange is in a bad phase, stressing that it would be wise to avoid statements that could make the climate in which the ASE operates heavier. He added that everybody should contribute to the efforts for the return of calm and stability which are the preconditions for the recovery of the stock market.

[06] GAINS RECORDED IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +1.38% at 2.346,12 points, while the volume of transactions was very small at 94 million Euro or 32 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, the overwhelming majority, 294, recorded gains and 43 had losses, while the value of 36 stocks remained stable.

[07] GREEK-RUSSIAN CULTURAL COOPERATION

The framework of the Greek-Russian cultural cooperation, the cultural cooperation of the European Union with Russia and the way in which Russia will participate in the Cultural Olympiad events, were the topics of discussion between Greek culture minister Evangelos Venizelos and his Russian counterpart in Moscow today.

A special reference was made to the Russian participation in the production of new films by director Thodoros Angelopoulos and the cultural programs that will take place during Russian president Putin's visit to Athens in December.

The two ministers also discussed issues concerning the university level modern Greek language studies in Russia and the Russian language studies in Greece. Also, they referred to the issue of the return of the archives of the Greek Jewish community which were brought to Moscow from Berlin at the end of WWII.

[08] THE SIMITIS-PUTIN MEETING WAS HELD IN A GOOD CLIMATE

The situation in the Balkans, the European joint defense policy, bilateral Greek-Russian relations, and Moscow's relations with the European Union were at the center of the meeting Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis and Russian president Vladimir Putin had in Moscow today.

In the meeting that was warm and constructive, according to the prime minister, and lasted for over an hour, it was established that the two sides share the same views on the situation in the Balkans.

Specifically, it was stressed that there will be no changes in the Balkan countries' status quo and the borders, while it was also stressed that the international community should not be indifferent toward the extremist elements that try to change the picture of the Balkans through force.

As it was stressed by the prime minister, the problems in the Balkans, and specifically in FYROM, cannot be handled without Russia's contribution and cooperation.

Mr. Simitis pointed out that good relations between Greece and Russia is a basic precondition for Europe's course in the future.

He said that Greece believes that Europe needs a defense policy and autonomy, and this means good relations with Russia, while he made a special reference to Moscow's role in Europe's course.

From his side, the Russian president referred to the historic relations linking Greece and Russia and expressed satisfaction for the improvement of bilateral relations in every sector. He referred to Greece's special place in the united Europe and stressed that Russia is ready to back the Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline project.

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article